Crisp, bright weather accompanied Duncanrig Rambling Club on its recent trip north for a 9-mile walk through Loch Ard Forest on the edge of the Trossachs. The views along the Stockiemuir road became progressively wilder as the coach left Milngavie behind and when passing The Queen's View the complete vista of the dramatic skyline of the southern highlands was revealed against the perfect backdrop of a clear blue sky. The drama didn't end with the landscape, however. The coach met a pack of about 20 cyclists and the EK outing had just resigned itself to trailing along behind when one of the riders hit a patch of black ice, slipped and unseated another half dozen who went flying and scattered across the road. Fortunately, no one seemed seriously injured. The Rambling Club's route started at Douchlage north of Drymen following a wide but rather muddy track for a couple of miles into the forest where, instead of wall-to-wall trees, the ramblers enjoyed an open outlook and the challenge of identifying the mini-matterhorn appearance of the snow-topped Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps further west with Ben Ledi, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin to the north. Even a particularly muddy section caused by commercial extraction provided an attraction with its lingering aroma of freshly cut timber and the orange slices of the logs. Some smooth tarmac surfaces had to be treated with care as the sun had not always melted the black ice. The views disappeared for a few miles as the party made its way past the Drum of Clashmore where the multiplicity of tracks caused a minor hiccup to the otherwise skillful navigation. The ventilation shafts of Glasgow's water pipe from Loch Katrine punctuated the passage of the hikers and prompted a few appreciative technical and engineering remarks from the knowledgeable. The view opened out again as the group neared its destination at Aberfoyle and once more delighted in a close-up of the hills around the town especially the low autumn sun slanting along the face of Craigmore to its west highlighting the profile of its craggy face and the golden glow of its russet wintry coat. A social hour in the hostelries left the ramblers refreshed after their pleasant day in the open air. The club's Christmas ceilidh will take place in the British Legion hall on Friday 4 December.